The Gujarat Education Department plans to hire a private consultant to do a 360-degree feedback for the top officers of the department,including the joint director,in order to assess their performance and bring about changes in strategic planning,if needed. The Ahmedabad-based human resource consultant,T V Rao Learning Systems,has been asked to take the 360-degree feedback on an experimental basis. This feedback is a method and a tool that provides each employee the opportunity to receive performance feedback from his or her supervisor and four to eight peers,subordinates,co-workers and stakeholders. Prof T V Rao of TV Rao Learning Systems said: In this process,the subordinates,peers,and supervisors provide feedback. It also includes self-assessment and in some cases,feedback from external sources and interested stakeholders. I think 360-feedback is very essential and helps the subordinates work in one direction rather than moving in other directions. Around eight officers from the Education Department have shown willingness to be part of this feedback process. Hasmukh Adhia,Principal Secretary and in-charge GSHSEB Chairman,said: Most of the time,we are judged by the top bosses. But there is a need to be judged by the colleagues and the subordinates also. That is why we thought of doing this. The officers who are not on good terms with their subordinates may get a shock of their life during the feedback process. The feedback is optional at this time,but if the results are satisfactory,we will make it compulsory for the department. Later,the government plans to consider the strategy for the principals and teachers in the state schools. Earlier,Jayanti Ravi,the then State Commissioner for Education,had mooted the idea of having such a system in place where students can give feedback of the teachers. The process is widely prevalent in the corporate world for peer reviews and as a tool for performance appraisal. What is 360 degree feedback? IN THE 360-degree feedback system,the candidate is assessed by a number of assessors including his boss,subordinates,colleagues,internal customers and some times,external customers. The assessment is made on a questionnaire specially designed to measure leadership styles,managerial qualities,impact and other behaviours considered critical for performance.
